The federal government may withdraw Customs and Border Protection officers from San Francisco International Airport and other major “sanctuary” hubs, Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin suggested Monday.
If the move actually goes through, it would effectively halt international travel at SFO, one of the nation’s busiest airports.
In his first interview since being sworn in as secretary, Mullin told Fox News’s “Special Report” that the Department of Homeland Security is reviewing whether jurisdictions that limit cooperation with federal immigration authorities should continue to receive federal customs processing services.
“If they’re a sanctuary city, should they really be processing customs into their city?” Mullin asked. “If they’re a sanctuary city and they’re receiving international flights, and we’re asking them to partner with us at the airport, but once they walk out of the airport, they’re not going to enforce immigration policy — maybe we need to have a really hard look at that.”
The proposal marks a significant escalation in the Trump administration’s long-standing battle with Democratic-led cities. If implemented, the withdrawal of CBP personnel would leave airports like SFO and JFK in New York unable to process arriving international passengers, forcing airlines to reroute thousands of daily flights.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office immediately denounced the idea, citing the potential for a catastrophic disruption to the economy.
“If you thought the economy was bad with Trump’s war driving prices at the pump up … just wait until international travel is halted at some of the busiest airports in the world,” Newsom’s press office posted on X. “Talk about a stupid idea.”
Legal experts noted that such a move would likely face immediate challenges in federal court.
U.S. District Judge William H. Orrick III of San Francisco previously issued an injunction prohibiting the Trump administration from retaliating against sanctuary jurisdictions by withholding federal funds or services.
California Attorney General Rob Bonta told the Chronicle in January that the administration’s threats are “completely lawless,” adding, “We’ll stop him in court.”
Mullin’s comments come amid an ongoing partial government shutdown triggered by a stalemate over DHS funding. The secretary accused Democrats of “holding the country hostage” by refusing to fund agencies like Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Border Patrol.
“I’m going to have to be forced to make hard decisions,” Mullin told Fox News. “Who is willing to work with us and partner with us?”